I am having numbness in legs and arms after taking Nortriptyline. Why?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a head injury, asthma, and had been on Amitriptyline for five weeks, started at 10 mg and worked up to 50 mg. Headaches did not go away.

Switched to Nortriptyline 50 mg for less than a week and started to experience numbness in legs and arms, and tingly or pins and needles in the same limbs. Numbness started to affect the skin on my back, face, and chest. The doctor advised stopping Nortriptyline, but did not express concern over the reaction. What happened?

Kindly assist.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your question carefully and would explain that the complaints that you describe are not common adverse effects related to Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline. I do not find anything really concerning in your symptoms, besides the fact that these drugs do not seem to be effective in controlling your headaches.

Coming to this point, I would first recommend performing a brain computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to be sure that it is a primary headache. Some blood laboratory tests are also necessary.

Considering the numbness in your limbs, get a complete blood count for anemia, thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for inflammation, and blood electrolytes for possible imbalances. You should discuss the above tests with your doctor before switching to another drug. In the meantime, it is fine to gradually stop Nortriptyline.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.